SC Delhi advances to Durand Cup semi-finals after comeback victory
SC Delhi’s Comeback Performance
SC Delhi secured a spot in the Durand Cup semi-finals following a notable comeback victory against FC Raengdai of Manipur. The match, held in Ranchi, saw SC Delhi overcome an early deficit to win 5-1. This result means SC Delhi will proceed to face the winner of the quarter-final match between Indian Army Football Team and East Bengal FC.
The game began with FC Raengdai demonstrating their attacking intent. In the 9th minute, Chongtham Kishan Singh put Raengdai ahead with a long-range strike. His shot from approximately 20 metres found the net after hitting the inside of the crossbar, leaving SC Delhi goalkeeper Nora Fernandes without a chance to save it.
Despite conceding, SC Delhi had shown early signs of threat. In the 7th minute, captain Lamgoulen Semkholun delivered a cross that Juan Sebastian Pena headed towards the far post, though it went over the crossbar. FC Raengdai‘s defense, featuring Rojen Meetei, Lanchungrei Pamei, and Amitkumar Singh, maintained discipline against SC Delhi‘s subsequent attacks.
SC Delhi continued to press for an equalizer. In the 33rd minute, Semkholun met a cross, but Rojen Meetei intervened defensively, leading to a corner. From the ensuing play, Lalrinliana Hnamte‘s header struck the post, keeping FC Raengdai‘s lead intact until halftime.
Second Half Turnaround
The second half saw a shift in momentum for SC Delhi, significantly influenced by the introduction of substitute Joseph Sunny. In the 52nd minute, Sunny made a run and passed to Rodriguinho, whose shot was saved by Kamei Pantiga, preserving Raengdai‘s lead temporarily.
However, just five minutes later, Joseph Sunny found the equalizer. Pena‘s move set up Sunny, who collected the ball at the edge of the box and delivered a low finish between two defenders into the bottom-left corner. This goal leveled the score and boosted SC Delhi‘s confidence.
Sunny continued his impact, scoring his second goal ten minutes later. Pena provided a no-look pass that released Sunny into the penalty area. Facing Pantiga one-on-one, Sunny calmly finished, completing the turnaround and putting SC Delhi in the lead.
Rodriguinho extended SC Delhi‘s lead four minutes after Sunny‘s second goal. He maneuvered past two defenders with the ball before slotting a left-footed finish past Pantiga, making the score 3-1. The final stages of the match saw a flurry of goals from SC Delhi.
In the third minute of stoppage time, Pena dribbled into the box and applied a no-look finish to increase the lead to 4-1. The final goal came in the eighth minute of added time when substitute Augustine Lalrochana drove into the box from the left and finished into the far corner, sealing an emphatic 5-1 victory for SC Delhi.
Anticipated Semi-Final Clash
SC Delhi‘s next match will be the semi-final on August 19 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. They will face either the Indian Army Football Team or East Bengal FC. The other quarter-final match between these two teams is highly anticipated.
East Bengal enters their quarter-final clash with confidence, following a 4-1 comeback win in the AFC Champions League Two play-off. They are set to face the disciplined Indian Army Football Team, known for their organization and physicality. East Bengal‘s attacking strengths, led by Mohammed Rashid and Dani Ramirez, alongside Anwar Ali‘s defensive presence, will be crucial in their pursuit of a semi-final berth.
The Indian Army Football Team topped their group with a perfect nine points, having defeated Samaleswari Sporting 1-0, Baghpat FC 4-0, and Mohammedan SC 2-1. Their coach, Antony Ramesh, has expressed respect for East Bengal but stated his team would not be overawed by the occasion. The quarter-final matches are scheduled with SC Delhi taking on Raengdai at 4 pm IST, followed by East Bengal‘s clash against Indian Army at 7 pm in Kolkata.
SC Delhi‘s journey in the Durand Cup has been marked by strong performances, including topping Group C with three wins from three matches. Rodriguinho has been a leading scorer for them with six goals in the tournament. FC Raengdai, despite their quarter-final exit, were considered a surprise package in their maiden campaign, topping Group D, with forward Midul Doley scoring three goals, including a hat-trick against TRAU FC. The semi-final on August 19 will determine which team advances to the final.
Source: theprint.in
